The Interreligious Council of Uganda (IRCU) has strongly condemned the ongoing atrocities committed against the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.

This was contained in a Press Statement read by the IRCU Chairman H.E The Mufti of Uganda Shk. Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, during a Press Conference held yesterday at the UMSC Headquarters Old Kampala.

In the statement, the Mufti who is also one of the Council’s Presidents noted that freedom of worship is a fundamental Human Right and no one has the right to persecute another for the difference in worship.

“International media and UN reports indicate that the Myanmar military has gone on rampage burning homes, razing villages, intimidating, threatening and expelling the Rohingya Muslims” the Mufti said.

Many, including children have been reported killed, and according to eye witnesses, many women have been raped. There are also reports of some bodies being burnt to destroy evidence.

“We advocate for tolerance, co-existence and religion for peace; therefore persecuting one another because of the difference in religion is ungodly and should be publicly condemned” the Mufti stated.

The Mufti quoted verses from the Holy Quran and the Holy Bible all of which are against the persecution of humanity and bloodshed.

In the Holy Quran, the Mufti quoted as follows:

“And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right. And whoever is killed unjustly - We have given his heir authority, but let him not exceed limits in [the matter of] taking life. Indeed, he has been supported [by the law]” Quran 17:33.

In the Holy Bible, the Mufti quoted as follows:

“Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty” Exodus 23:7.

“Before Allah, we are equal and no one has a right to take another’s life, for that power is only in the hands of God” said the Mufti, noting that the slaying of Rohingya Muslims is therefore not only a grave sin before the eyes of mankind but also before Allah.

He expressed concern over reports that the government of Bangladesh is denying refuge to thousands of Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution from Myanmar.

It is on this note that the Mufti called upon the international community to take lead in condemning the atrocities being committed against the Rohingya in Myanmar.

“Until the weak are treated fairly by those with the human powers, the world may never attain the peace and stability that we crave for” he said.

The Mufti lauded the President of Turkey His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdogan for being the first world leader to openly and strongly speak out against the persecution of Rohingya Muslims by the Myanmar army.

It is estimated that in the last two weeks, over 120,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled Myanmar; 400,000 still trapped in the conflict zone; 20,000 trapped in no man’s land; 17 villages brined down and 400 killed.